Folding support for ironing boards and the like



Sept. 2, 1937 H. HOWE 2,094,123

FOLDING SUPPORT FOR IRONING BOARDS AND THE LIKE Filed May 22, 1935 2 She ts-She et 1 Z? 1 x at 1- I? 9 T 1 I? 3/ 1/ 125 7 11? 3 f 533:: 1:; 9 Z9 Z6 1; v 6 I I INVENTOR.

luau/.0 Haw;

ATTORNEY.

p 7- v H. HOWE 2,094,123

I FOLDING SUPIORT FOR IRONING BOARDS AND THE LIKE Filed May 22, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IINVENTOR. Momma Haw. I

Patented Sept. 28,1937

' FOLDING SUPPORT FOR IRONING BOARDS AND THE LIKE Harold Howe, New York, N. Y., assignor to Howe Folding Furniture, Inc., New York, N. Y.

Application May 22, 1935, Serial No. 22,800

Claims.

My invention relates to a folding support for ironing boards and the like and has particular application-to foldable articles such as ironing boards, tables, benches and the like, wherein a 5 supporting surface is provided with foldable legs.

I have shown and will describe my invention as applied to an ironing board for which it has particular and peculiar merit and application, but it is to be understood at the outset that the device is equally applicable to other articles of furniture. I

The primary object of my invention lies in the provision of a folding leg structure consisting of front and rear legs connected for synchronous folding against the underside of the supported surface,-one of the legs being sectional to fold upon itself and extensible when unfolded.

An important object of my invention lies in the provision of a sectional folding leg connected by 20 link means to the other leg or legs by means of which when the sectional leg'is unfolded or extended, all the legs are synchronously unfolded to supporting position and when the sectional leg is folded upon itself, the other legs are simultaneously and synchronously folded to flat position on the underside of the supported surface.

More particularly my invention contemplates a sectional folding leg consisting of a pair of pivoted channel members, one adapted to be received within the other when in folded position, and connections between such channel sections and the other leg or legs whereby the same are operated simultaneously and synchronously.

Another object of my invention lies in the provision of a novel foot for one of the folding legs which foot serves the double useful purpose of a handle for manipulating the folding and unfold-' ing of the legs, and for preventing creeping of the structure during use.

Still another object lies in the provision of a simple and effective locking means for the foldable leg sections whereby the same are held against collapse or folding during normal use.

Another object lies in the provision of a folding device which is simple, of few parts, and which provides a strong sturdy supporting means easily extended to'operating positionand as easily folded flat against the supported surface and within a minimum space.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference now being had to the figures of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and wherein' like reference numerals indicate like parts.

In the drawings:

- tion.

- extended or unfolded position.

Figure 1 is a side viewof an ironing board equipped with my improved folding mechanism, the same being shown in full lines in unfolded position, and in dotted lines in partly folded position. The board is shown in upside down posi- 5 Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the underside of the board with the legs folded therea'gain'st,

Figure 3 is a detail view of the sectional leg in Figure 4 is a detail sectional view of one end of the ironing board illustrating certain of the parts in folded position.

Figure 5 is .a detail perspective view of the free end, of the sectional leg showing the foot thereon. 15

Figure 6 is a detail view of a portion of the sectional leg, broken away at one point for clearness of illustration and showing the locking means for the sections.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a 20 slightly modified arrangement of the'synchronizing links.

The reference character I refers to the supported surface or top, in this case,-an ironing board, but for which might be readily substituted 5 a table top, bench top or the like. Mounted upon the underside of this board I adjacent one end thereof is a fiat plate 2 secured to the board as by the screws 3. Adjacent each end of the plate 2 are angular ears 4 which may be struck from go the plate and bent at substantially right angles thereto and to which are pivoted, at one end, the rear legs 5. Pivot pins 6 pass through the ears 5 and. through the legs 5 and are provided at each end with suitable heads or other means for suit- 35 ably securing the legs against lateral movement but permitting free pivotal action thereof.

Also provided on the plate 2 are the cars l which may be likewise struck from the material of the plate and bent at substantially right angles 40 thereto, to provide pivot means for braces 8 pivotally secured at one end to the ears 1 as by the pins 9 and at their opposite ends to the legs 5,.by means of the pins l0 passing through such legs at points spaced from the pivoted ends thereof. 45

Also secured to the underside of the board I at a point substantially midway between the side edges thereof and substantially forwardly of the plate 2 is a second plate H suitably secured as by the screws 12. This plate I 2 is provided with a 50 pair of ears I3 formed on the plate in any suitable manner and extending at right angles thereto in parallel relation. A pivot pin. I4 is journaled in theears I3 and pivoted upon this pin l4 between the ears I3 is one end of a leg section l5,

preferably though not necessarily, of channel form. A spacing sleeve I5 may be provided between the flanges of the channel section I5 and surrounding the pivot pin I4 as shown clearly in Figure 3.

Pivoted to the opposite end of the leg section I5 is one end of a leg section I1 also of channel form and of a width to permit the sections to be folded together-with the section I5 received within the channel section l1 as shown in Figure 2. The sections I5 and I1 are pivoted together by means of the pivot pin I8 passing through the flanges of the sections and it will be noted particularly with reference to Figures 1, 3 and 6, that the pivoted end of the section I1 extends beyond the pivot point for a substantial distance, such extending portion receiving and-embracing the end of the section I5. This arrangement lends great strength and rigidity to the sectional leg when the sections are in their extended position.

The section I5 is provided with a slot I9 through which passes a headed pin 20 carried by a latch member 2| by means of which such latch member is slidably mounted longitudinally of the section I5. The latch also carries a second pin 22 passing through the slot I! and extending for a distance into the channel of the section. The pins 20 and 22 serve to guide the latch 2i in its sliding movements and prevent turning thereof. Secured to the pin 22 is one end of a coil spring 23, the opposite end of which is secured to the pivot pin I8. Thus the latch 2| is normally urged to the left in Figure 6 or to latching position. The end of the latch is shouldered as at 24 to overlie and engage the adjacent end of the section I1 when the sections are in their extended or unfolded position. When it is desired to fold the sections, it is necessary merely to slide the latch 2| to the right in Figure 6 until the shouldered end thereof releases the end of the section I1 which may then be rocked on the pivot I8. The spring 23 returns the latch to its normal position when released. When the section I1 is brought to its extended or unfolded position, the end thereof engages against the beveled end 25 of the latch, such engagement sliding the latch within the slot I9 ,until the end of the section I1 snaps past the shouldered end of the latch whereupon the same returns to the locking position shown in Figure 6.

Pivoted at oneend to the rear legs 5 on the pivot pins thereof, are links 25, the opposite ends of which are pivoted as at 21 to the lower end of the section I1, the pivot pins 21 being suitably provided on the side flanges of the channel section I1.

Pivoted atone end to the rear legs 5 on the pivot pins 5 is a second pair of links 28, the opposite ends of which are pivoted to the section I! as at 29, suitable pivot means being provided on the side flanges of the channel section l1. The pivots 29 are disposed at a point on the, opposite side of the pivot I8 of the two sections from the pivot points 21 as shown clearly in Figures 1 and 3. It will be clear that with this arrangement of links when the section I1 is foldeddownwardly over the section I5, the links 28 and 28 will simultaneously and synchronously cause the rear legs 5 and the section I5 of the front leg to move downwardly to a position flat against the adjacent surface of the board I. During this movement the'position of the pivot points 21 and 29 will be reversed as shown clearly in Figures 1 and 2.

The diverging angle at which the rear legs 5 and the sectional front leg I5-I1 extend from the board I, permits this folding of the legs to a position flat against the surface of the board.

The free end of the section I1 is provided with a foot member 3I|,adapted to engage the floor when the legs are unfolded and in such position is in the same plane as the ends of the rear legs 5 whereby the board I may be supported in a level horizontal position. This foot 30 may be of any desired material and as shown is formed of metal in the nature of heavy wire or tubing secured at its ends to the end of the section I1 as at 3| and bent outwardly as at 32 to provide a wider engaging portion than the width of the section I1 and then bent or curled asat 33 in a direction toward the opposite end of the board or toward the rear legs 5 as shown clearly in Figure l. The bight of the foot 30 provides a convenient handle by means of which the section I1 may be grasped and moved to and from folded position. i

The bend or curl 33 of the foot 30 also serves the purpose of preventing the structure from creeping during use. When pressure is applied to the board I at a-point over the foot 30 the force is exerted downwardly against the foot and by virtue of the bend 33, rearwardly. If the bend of the foot were in the opposite direction, such downward pressure would exert itself not only downwardly but forwardly and the result would be a creeping of the board during use. If Figure 1 of the drawings is observed in inverted position, this point will be especially clear.

In Figure 7 I have shown a slightly modified arrangement of the synchronizing links. In this figure, the rear legs 5a are pivoted to the board Ia at 6a. Section I5a of the front leg is pivoted to the board at Ila. Section I1a. of the front leg is pivoted to the section l5a at I8a. In this form the links 28a are pivoted at one end to the rear legs 5:: at the point 34 instead of at the pivot point of such legs, that is, spaced slightly from such pivot point. The opposite ends of the links 28a'are pivoted directly to the pivot Ila. The links 26a are pivoted at one end to the rear legs 50. at Ilia and at their opposite ends to the section He at 21a, the same as in the form previously described.

In this modification, the elements bear the same numbers as the corresponding elements in the previously described modification and the form of Figure '7 is, therefore, shown diagrammatically only. In this form the operation of the folding mechanism is identical with that previously described.

Referring now to Figure 4, it will be noted that the braces 8 are bent slightly as at 25 so as to accommodate the links 28 in the folded position.

It will be noted from the foregoing description that with this folding mechanism all of the folding elements may be moved into a minimum space, all parts when folded lying within the plane of the board I.

In operation it will be clear that with the parts in the unfolded position shown in Figure 1 and the latch- 2I moved out of locking position, the operator by grasping the foot 30 and rocking the section i1 on its pivot II, will through the links 25 pull the rear legs 5 forwardly, the links 28 simultaneously serving to cause both sections I1 and I5 to move downwardly toward the surface of the board. This action is shown clearly in Figure 1. Obviously the reverse action will take place when the operator lifts upwardly on the foot 30 with the parts in the folded position of Figure 2. Also, the operator may open or unfold the legs by pulling outwardly on either of the rear legs 5, the links or rods 26 and 28 serving to unfold the sectional front leg.

Of course, changes may be made in details of construction and operation without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not limit myself, therefore, to the exact form herein shown and described other than by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An ironing board comprising a top, rear legs, and a front leg therefor, and a foot member on said front leg bent in the direction of said rear legs whereby to prevent creeping of said board in use.

2. In combination, a board and a folding supporting means therefor, comprising a leg pivoted to said board adjacent one end thereof, a second leg pivoted to,said board, said second leg comprising two sections pivoted together, and connecting rods between said legs whereby the same are synchronously movable to folded and unfolded positions with relation to said board and said sections are simultaneously foldable about their pivot, at least one of said connecting rods being pivoted to one of said sections adjacent its point of pivot to the other section.

3. In combination, a board and a folding supporting means therefor, comprising a leg pivoted to said board and adjacent one end thereof, a second leg pivoted to said board, said second leg comprising two sections pivoted together at a point intermediate the ends of one of said sections, and connecting rods between said legs I whereby the same are synchronously movable to folded and unfolded positions with relation to said board and said sections are simultaneously to said board adjacent one end thereof, a second leg pivoted to said board, said second leg comprising two sections pivoted together, said sections being of substantially the same length whereby when the same are folded together about their pivot said second leg is substantially shorter then when said sections are unfolded into board supporting position, and connecting rods between said legs whereby the same are synchronously movable to folded and unfolded positions with relation to said board and saidsections are simultaneously foldable about'their pivot, one of said connecting rods being pivoted to one of said sections adjacent its point of pivot to the other section.

5. In combination, a board and a folding supporting means therefor, comprising a rear leg structure pivoted to said board adjacent one end thereof, a front leg structure pivoted to said board, said front leg structure comprising two sections pivoted together, and connecting rods between said rear and front-leg structures whereby the same are synchronously movable to folded and unfolded positions with relation to said board and said sections of the frontleg structure are simultaneously foldable about their connecting pivot, one of said connecting rods being pivoted to one of said front leg sections adjacent its point of pivot to the other section, and another of said rods being pivoted to the connecting pivot of said sections.

' HAROLD HOWE. 

